SDCC 2016: Star Trek Beyond’s Pavel Andreievich Chekov To Be Written Out For Star Trek 4 Due To Death Of Actor Anton Yelchin

As Star Trek Beyond, the third film in the reboot series, hits theaters and the San Diego Comic Con 2016 (SDCC 2016) gets underway, Star Trek and Star Wars Executive Producer J.J. Abrams has indicated that the character of Pavel Andreievich Chekov will not be recast after the tragic death of actor Anton Yelchin.

Anton Yelchin died on June 29, 2016 at around 1 a.m. at the age of 27. According to the L.A. Times, “Authorities believe Yelchin’s vehicle rolled backward down the steep driveway, [L.A. police Officer Jenny] Houser said, pinning him against a brick column and security gate. Investigators with the Los Angeles County coroner’s office concluded that Yelchin’s death was an accident caused by blunt traumatic asphyxia, Lt. Larry Dietz said. It appeared that Yelchin had not properly put his car in park, Dietz added.”

In terms of the character of Chekov and actor Anton Yelchin, J.J. Abrams was quoted as saying that “I would say there’s no replacing him. There’s no recasting. I can’t possibly imagine that, and I think Anton deserves better.”

In terms of Star Trek 4, it is set to see the return of Thor actor Liam Hemsworth as Captain James T. Kirk’s, played by actor Chris Pine, father George Kirk.

Star Trek 3, a.k.a. Star Trek: Beyond will feature the last appearance of Pavel Chekov in the Star Trek films and the final appearance of actor Anton Yelchin in that role. Star Trek: Beyond lands in theaters on July 22, 2016.

No date as been confirmed for the yet-to-be-named Star Trek 4 film or which character from Star Trek lore or what new character would replace the role Chekov played in the U.S.S. Enterprise crew of Star Trek.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Anton Yelchin at this difficult time.

About The Author

John Babos

John is a long-time pop culture fan, comics historian, and blogger. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief at Comics Nexus. Prior to being EIC he has produced several column series including DEMYTHIFY, NEAR MINT MEMORIES and the ONE FAN'S TRIALS at the Nexus plus a stint at Bleeding Cool producing the COMICS REALISM column. As BabosScribe, John is active on his twitter account, his facebook page and welcomes any and all feedback. Bring it on!